Community Involvement through Isandlwana Lodge
(The following is written by the owner/managers of Isandlwana Lodge, our partners in the Zulu Village Project since its inception)
Many of our guests express sincere interest in the advantages that have come to the people of Isandlwana since the Lodge was opened in May 1999 and they have helped in a number of ways: Some have facilitated free dental clinics, hosted a garden party to raise funds for the purchase of sports uniforms for the high school and contributed towards the purchase of school computers. Many have “adopted” a child in terms of sponsoring their school fees and uniforms. Even an Astroturf soccer pitch was donated by Swansea University in Wales through the efforts of the daughter of one of our guests from the UK. The most significant contribution recently has been a formal ball hosted in the UK by two Lodge guests which raised enough funding to start and sustain the delivery of Food Parcels to Aids orphans in the village for an entire year.
To support the Isandlwana project, please donate through The WILD Foundation online, via post or by calling us (contact information). Please specify that your gift is for Isandlwana Village.
Isandlwana projects are implemented in partnership with The WILD Foundation, an American-based Conservation and Sustainable Development group (a registered charity) that began in South Africa 35 years ago and on which Mrs. Magalen Bryant, co-owner of the Lodge, serves as a board member. WILD facilitates our community-based programme of sustainable social upliftment and environmental conservation, using an internationally accepted development protocol that is proven, efficient and productive.
The Lodge is not a charitable entity, therefore guests’ donations are routed through WILD, which is in a statutory position to formally comply with the acknowledgment and implementation of charitable contributions. For donations originating from the US, tax-deductibility may apply. No administrative fees are charged on Lodge guest donations — the entire donation is applied to the project of the guests’ choice. In order to best serve the local people, WILD’s South Africa Representative and Local Project Coordinator match guest preferences with real community needs.
The Community named the project Impumelelo Yesandlwana (“Success for the People of Isandlwana”). If you wish to participate, some of the current projects are:
- Adopt-a-Child: Sponsor the annual school fees and uniforms of a needy child. Priority is on children from child-headed households, HIV orphans and children identified in consultation with the schools and Tribal Council as the most needy in the community. The cost is approximately R 1,500 per annum.
- Support our Schools : Infrastructure and equipment for poor rural schools are ongoing needs in the community. We assist with key basics: building new classrooms; supplying clean water; raising the standard of education through providing educational equipment and resources, etc. Currently we are establishing a computer laboratory at Isandlwana Primary, funded in part by lodge guests. Other guests contributed funds to purchase six (6) computers. Visit this project on the village tour!
- Sustainable Agriculture: Our agricultural initiatives help the community grow organic and nutritious fruit and vegetables for their own use and to generate income. “Give-a-Tree”: guests can donate and plant a fruit tree for the community orchard or an indigenous tree to help green the village or the school yards. “Vegetable Gardens”: Support one of our 11 very productive garden projects by supplying seeds or help fund fencing, water access and equipment.
- Food Parcels for HIV Orphans: We currently support nearly 100 children who have been orphaned due to the HIV epidemic. The cost of basic items for a child’s staple diet and some toiletries is approximately R400 per month per child. This is a very worthy cause and any contribution towards this fund helps care for a very needy child.
- General donations: General contributions will be used towards any of the above projects at the discretion of The WILD Foundation in order to optimize other donations and ensuring that the best value and impact is achieved. The allocation of such funds will be reported to the donor.
